Help Samantha Redding Through Her Pregnancy Crisis

We are reaching out to ask for your help in supporting our incredible friend and colleague, Samantha Redding. Sam is a self-less, friendly, hardworking mother, wife and teacher who is currently enduring a painful and debilitating pregnancy complication called Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). This condition has left her having difficulty receiving adequate nutrition for a healthy pregnancy, hospitalization and frequent medical treatments.

Despite her severe illness, Sam has continued to show up for her students, even though it's clearly taking a toll on her health and well-being. She is pushing herself to the limit because, unfortunately, the system that should be supporting her is failing to provide the necessary assistance.

What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

HG is defined as a potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease that may cause weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and debility due to severe nausea and/or vomiting, and may cause long-term health issues for mother and baby(ies).

She’s had to be hospitalized for IV fluids and medication, and she now requires treatment every few days to maintain her health and avoid significant dehydration.

The physical and emotional toll this takes is immense, yet she continues to put the needs of her students first.

Sam was advised by the medical team at Dartmouth Medical Center to stay home since trying to keep up with her job and daily life has been making the situation worse.

The Financial Struggles

Sam has used up all of her sick leave, and unfortunately, her school district does not offer a sick leave bank, meaning there is no safety net to help her during this crisis. The district’s short term disability lapsed and by the time it was reinstated she was not eligible because her pregnancy was classified as a pre-existing condition, leaving her without any financial support from the district.When she reached out to Human Resources for assistance, she was told there was no other option but to take FMLA, which would leave her without a paycheck and in debt to the district for insurance premiums.

She’s afraid to stop working, not because she’s not sick, but because she needs a paycheck to cover her treatments, mortgage and basic living expenses.

The stress of trying to work through this debilitating illness is not only affecting her health but also her ability to care for the baby growing inside her. The situation is unsustainable, and it’s clear that she cannot continue forcing herself to work in this condition.

Her Impact on Students

Despite the extreme toll HG has taken on her body, Sam has continued to show up for her students, doing what she loves best—teaching and inspiring. On top of her regular teacher load as a science and social studies teacher, she runs a Maker Space Program where her students dive into STEAM projects, learning how to design, build, and create. It’s a program that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, and it has had a profound impact on the lives of her students.

She’s poured her heart into this program and her students, always going above and beyond to make learning fun, interactive, and inspiring. Now, it’s time for us to show up for her. Sam was awarded the Vermont Outstanding Educator of the Year award during our back to school district meeting at the beginning of this school year.

How You Can Help

This GoFundMe campaign has been created to help cover Sam’s medical expenses, daily living costs, and any other financial needs she is facing as she fights through this difficult time. The money raised will allow her to take the necessary steps to care for herself and her baby without the constant stress of worrying about how she will make ends meet.

We know times are tough for everyone, but if you are able, please consider donating. No amount is too small, and every dollar will make a meaningful difference in Sam’s life. If you are unable to donate, sharing this campaign with your network is a powerful way to help.

Why We Need Your Support

This situation highlights a failure in the system that should be supporting pregnant workers, especially those like Sam who go above and beyond for their students. She has always been there for her students, colleagues, and school community, and now it’s time for us to return that support. The district's inability to provide support is leaving her in a vulnerable and precarious position. We cannot stand by while she faces this alone.

Please help us support Sam during this incredibly challenging time. Your donation will directly ease her financial burden and give her the peace of mind she desperately needs so that she can focus on her health and the health of her baby.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. We are so grateful for each and every one of you who is able to help in any way.

With gratitude,

Some Truly Enraged Teachers